Orofacial complications amongst children undergoing cancer therapy in Hong Kong

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To assess the orofacial complications amongst children undergoing cancer therapy in Hong Kong. METHODS: A convenient sample of children, suffering from different malignancies attending the Paediatric Oncology and Haematology, Queen Mary Hospital in Hong Kong from 1st to 13th March 2004. A questionnaire survey amongst the parents was conducted on the oral care habits and other oral disturbances encountered during cancer therapy. RESULTS: Forty-six children, 30 boys (65%) and 16 girls (35%; mean age=9.4±4.8) were examined with malignancies such as leukemia (57%), brain tumor (26%) and others such as rhabdomyosarcoma and liver cancer (17%). Sixteen children (35%) had oral mucositis, the most common affected site being buccal mucosa (13; 28%). Four (9%) had opportunistic infections such as angular cheilits (3; 7%) and pseudomembranous candidosis (1; 2%) and five (12%) had oral petechiae. Active dental caries was found in 16 children (35%). Forty-five parents responded (45/46; 98%) to the questionnaire and reported that the children had experienced mouth pain (56%), difficulty in speech and swallowing (47%), dry mouth (31%), altered taste (27%), bad breath (22%) and, bleeding gums (16%) during cancer therapy. The majority of the children brushed their teeth at least once daily (67%). Thirteen parents (29%) reported they would bring their children to see dentist at least once a year. CONCLUSIONS: As anticipated, oral mucositis was common amongst the present convenient sample of children and, most alarmingly dental caries was evident, which warrants early dental intervention prior to cancer therapy.